CONNECTOR.AE 26 CONNECTOR.AE 27 Kids And Education Kids And Education compassion. As teachers, it’s important to let the students know that ‘it’s ok to not be ok every day’, and it reminds the students that at times we may need to reflect and recharge.” Sharing her brief insight on this, Kimberly Highland, Marketing Manager, The English College, adds, “Prioritise self-care activities such as exercise, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones. Create a schedule that allocates time for both academic responsibilities and activities that bring you joy and relaxation.” Break Down Your Work And Keep The Goal Clear Academic pressure builds when we aim to match others without clarity on our goals. The obsession with being first often lacks a clear purpose. Using visuals to define goals and breaking tasks into smaller parts makes them more manageable, reducing overwhelm. Swiss International School, says, “A first step would be to have a clear idea of the year’s key dates: exams, deadlines, presentations, etc. Planning that out allows students to visualise their school year ahead of time and keeps them focused on their school work. Additionally, this allows students to see when their holidays or quieter periods are and look forward to them which keeps them motivated. Another strategy would be to create a designated work and study area which is kept tidy and away from distractions.” Learn The Art Of Balance Mastering the art of balance is crucial at every life stage, especially when instilled from school days. For that, prioritising and planning is vital. Breaking tough tasks into smaller, manageable steps is key to handling academic stress. Start by noting deadlines and assessing task significance. Then, craft a viable schedule for steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Utilising charts, parental assistance for calendar planning, and trackers can aid kids in balancing school and personal life effectively. Highlighting the importance of maintaining academic success and personal well-being and sharing some insights, Nicola Upham, Vice Principal, Student Development, Bloom World Academy, says, “To maintain a healthy balance between academic success and personal well-being, it’s essential to prioritise self-care and time management. Allocating specific blocks of time for studying, relaxation, socialising, and physical activity maintains a well-rounded routine to create a sustainable lifestyle. But achieving that balance is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, flexibility, and selfHighlighting the importance of library and academic support services, Kimberly Highland, Marketing Manager, The English College, adds, “Utilise resources such as the library and academic support services. Break down study material into smaller chunks, use active learning techniques like summarising and teaching concepts to others, and practice retrieval through selftesting. Prioritise tasks based on deadlines and importance, and utilise tools such as to-do lists or digital calendars to stay organised.” Focus On Self-Care And Reach Out For Support While academic achievement holds significance, prioritising self-care and emotional well-being is equally crucial. Kids must maintain a balanced diet, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and engage in at least an hour of physical activity daily. Parents and educators should encourage open communication about emotions and develop a supportive environment where children feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Explaining this further, Nicola Peacock, Assistant Principal at Horizon International School, says, “Keeping your ultimate goal in mind, whether that is a place at your preferred university or the satisfaction of getting the results you want, is a must. You can use pictures to help with this, putting pictures up on noticeboards, bedroom walls, inside your school locker or on your fridge can serve as visual reminders of why you are working so hard. Besides, breaking your work and your goals down into smaller chunks can make them more manageable. Instead of visualising your university, what are the steps you will need to take along the way to get there? Develop small, daily habits that give you the impetus to keep going. James Clear in his bestselling book Atomic Habits, tells us, “Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become.” He advocates for a focus on our ‘systems’, our daily practices, which act like ‘compound interest’ and lead to success.”
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